Neurological Surgery

What is neurological surgery?

Neurological surgery, also called neurosurgery, is the branch of medicine that provides both operative and nonoperative management of disorders that affect the central and peripheral nervous systems, including their supportive structures and vascular supply, and the operative and nonoperative management of pain.

Neurological surgery encompasses disorders of the brain, spine, and nerves, including the following:

The extracranial and intracranial carotid and vertebral arteries

Disorders of the pituitary gland

Tumors in and around the brain

Disorders of the spinal cord, meninges, and spine, including those that may require treatment by removing or replacing intervertebral discs, spinal fusion, or instrumentation

Disorders of the peripheral nerves

Disorders of the autonomic nervous system

The surgeon who specializes in neurological surgery is called a neurosurgeon or neurological surgeon.